I’m always amazed at the aplomb of certain child actors. In their early interviews, Dakota Fanning and Haley Joel Osment seemed like old souls -- wise beyond their years. Luke Benward, star of the upcoming family film, How To Eat Fried Worms, displays some of that same quality. While talking with Luke on the phone, I got the impression he’s already a pro, despite being only 11 years old.   

“The most important thing about How To Eat Fried Worms is that it’s a children’s movie for all ages -- even though you might get grossed-out,” Luke said confidently. “It has a message about friendship, bravery and standing up for yourself.”

In How To Eat Fried Worms, Luke plays Billy, a fifth-grader who challenges a bully on his first day at a new school and ends up betting he can eat 10 worms in one day. This isn’t Luke’s first movie. After going for commercial auditions with his actress mom, Kenda Benward (The Second Chance), he was cast in We Were Soldiers and later in Because of Winn-Dixie. But how did he snag the key role in this film version of Thomas Rockwell’s popular book? “I auditioned for the bully and that didn’t work,” Luke replied. “Then they put me up for Billy. After doing the audition ‘one more time’ a couple of times, I got the part.” 

Luke enjoyed making friends with the other youngsters in the movie, but his greatest challenge came from the stunts he was required to do. “I had to dive into a river,” he explained. “It was dark and scary -- but there were scuba divers there and other people to help. I also had to fall of a ledge into a mat. Afterwards, all the kids -- there were 9 or 10 of us -- did body slams onto the mat.” 

I asked Luke if he had to eat any real worms while filming. “I didn’t have to eat any real worms, but I put one in my mouth. And I have eaten a rolley-polley bug. I got $5 for doing that,” he said with a laugh.

Luke, who loves acting, gives his mother props for all her help. “I spend a lot of time on acting, and mom is my acting coach. We work on our auditions in the kitchen.”

Besides acting, the talented youngster sings, plays tackle football, and is learning how to play the electric guitar. “My dad (Aaron Benward) is a country singer with the Blue County duo,” Luke pointed out. “So that’s probably where I get my interest in singing.”   

Rounding out Luke’s immediate family in Nashville, Tennessee, are two little sisters, Gracie (9) and Ella (5). Luke is happy that his family and friends don’t treat him any differently now. “I just want to be treated like a normal person,” he said.

However, after How To Eat Fried Worms opens in multiplexes on August 25, it might be difficult to treat Luke Benward like “a normal person.” In this film’s amusing preview, Luke comes across as an actor with the potential to become Hollywood’s next important child star.

Photo Credit: © 2006 Van Redin/New Line Productions. Description: Luke Benward (center) stars as “Billy” in New Line Cinema’s upcoming family release, How To Eat Fried Worms.

Visit the movie’s official site at www.friedwormsmovie.com.